With the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SPWL) title out of reach, Banyana Banyana star Linda Motlhalo will be hoping Glasgow City secures both the UEFA Champions League spot and the Scottish Women’s Cup trophy to conclude the 2024/25 season in style.
Their first challenge is European competition – they are currently third on the table and only two places are available. The battle for positions is with second-placed Rangers with the other spot going to league champions elect Hibernian.
On the final day of the season, Glasgow City face Hearts who are fifth and out of the race for Champions League.
Motlhalo’s side has 71 points, level with Rangers. The mathematics is simple for Glasgow City: beat Hearts and hope for a draw or defeat for Rangers, or City can get away with a draw provided Rangers loses.
The two teams have met 22 times and Hearts are yet to win in this fixture, with 19 victories for City and three drawn clashes.
In their last encounter they cancelled each other out in a goalless stalemate.
City will host Hearts at Petershill Park on Sunday (19 May 2025).
Kickoff is at 1pm.
“Another whirlwind SWPL season comes to a close on Sunday, and there is no doubt amongst the squad and staff about what our goal is. We are all disappointed that this campaign won’t end with the league trophy returning to Petershill Park, but that is behind us now. It is hugely important we make sure our focus is getting something to show for all our efforts, and that is ensuring Champions League football and winning the Scottish Cup,” head coach Leanne Ross told the club’s website.
“After all the time, energy and resources that go into a full season, to finish without league silverware is tough, but to finish without European football to look forward to would be even tougher. European football is so exciting for everyone involved. For the fans, players, coaches, and staff… It’s where we want to be as a club. I have my own great memories of representing City in the Champions League. Now, I want my players to go and experience it all, too. That is our objective now.”
Despite the great success against Hearts over the years, Ross understands their opponents will not curl up and die but will come out fighting.
“No team in the top six has been easy. Motherwell showed that on Wednesday night. They may bebottom of thisgroup but are still a very good team who are well coached, they work hard, and each player knows their job. And we don’t expect anything different from Hearts on Sunday. They still have pride to play for and will want to finish as high as they possibly can with as many points as they can. But our focus remains on ourselves. Making sure we play the football we know we can,” added Ross.
Glasgow City will then wait another week (Sunday, 25 May 2025) to face Rangers in the final of the Scottish Women’s Cup where they will be hoping for a cup success and not end trophy-less this season. Immediately after this figure, Motlhalo is expected to fly back home to South Africa to join the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana for a training camp starting on Monday, 26 May.
The African champions have lined up two international friendlies against Botswana (28 May) and Zambia (3 June) as part of preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicking off in July.
South Africa are the defending champions.
Scottish Women’s Premier League Fixtures:
Sunday, 19 May 2025
Celtic (4) vs Motherwell (6)
Glasgow City (3) vs Hearts (5)
Rangers (2) vs Hibernian (1)
By Matlhomola Morake
